Tuesday, 8 February 2011

After days of heavy rain and gales, Sunday 6th February 2011 dawned little better. Cadets and staff made their way to Squadron Headquarters in Ashlands Road in heavy drizzle to collect equipment and board Steels coach, which was to take them to York to join the other 27 Squadrons from Central and East Yorkshire Wing ATC for the Parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps. As we travelled towards York the weather improved and on arrival we found it to be fine, overcast and somewhat blustery.

Over 700 cadets plus staff assembled at the Eye of York adjacent to Clifford’s Tower and were formed into three Squadrons. Numbers 1 and 2 Squadrons had about 200 cadets each but Number 3 Squadron, under the command of Squadron Leader John Hitchen led by 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron’s Band had about 220 cadets in three flights plus a flight containing the Banners of each of the 28 Squadrons in the Wing.

At 1238 the Parade marched off through the streets of York to the Minster for a service to celebrate 70 years of The Air Training Corps.Our Squadron Band had the honour of playing as all the cadets and Staff from the Wing filed past into the Minster and again at the end of the service as everyone including the dignitaries left.

The day was ended by the customary stop at McDonalds on the way home where the cadets got some well earned food and drink.

To sum up, it was an excellent day for Central and East Yorkshire Wing, an even better one for 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron.

I must not forget to mention our two stowaways in the band, Chris and Dave Pagdin from 23(South Elmsall) Squadron, both honorary members of 1224 who also smuggled their Squadron’s Banner into the parade!!!

To all of 1224 who took part, be very proud of yourselves for a job extremely well done!

Videos of the parade and of the 1224 band can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/1224Wharfedale